LIBERTY
HEAD (NO MOTTO ON REVERSE) TWENTY DOLLARS OR DOUBLE EAGLE
(1849-1866)
1860-S Double Eagle
1860-S
Double Eagle
PCGS No:
8931
Mintage:
Circulation
strikes:
544,950
Proofs:
None
Designer:
James Barton
Longacre
Diameter:
±34
millimeters
Metal content:
Gold - 90%
Other - 10%
Weight:
±516
grains (±33.4 grams)
Edge:
Reeded
Mintmark:
"S"
(for San Francisco, California) below the eagle's
tail on the reverse.
Introduction:
The 1860-S double eagle was struck in ample quantity
and was a workhorse of commerce. Most of the coins struck
saw heavy circulation. The remaining examples are mostly
Very Fine or Extremely Fine. In low-grade condition,
the date can still be found in large lots of common-date
Type 1 double eagles. High-grade pieces are another
story. The issue is very rare in Mint State. Only about
two dozen Uncirculated coins are known. This includes
examples found on the wrecks of the S.S. Brother Jonathan
and S.S. Republic. An MS-62 example sold at auction
in 2003 for $10,350. Key to Collecting: The 1860-S is available
in circulated grades but rare in Mint State. 1860-S
• Aspects of Striking: Nearly always
well struck. High grade specimens show lustre rather
than prooflike surfaces. Certain details less well defined
than on 1850-1 S'SS coins (see introduction to Type
I). Die Data: Standard four-digit logotype
punch for this year . 6 1860 obverse dies were sent
to San Francisco on November 2, 1859. Reverse dies were
already on hand.
Number of Appearances:
92 (21%)
High Grade Condition Points: 28
Auction Records:
(5) Unc: Auction 79; New England 3/79,
11/78; Miles 1968; Atwater 1946
(18) AU: Stack's
12/81, 9/81; NASCA 12/80; Stack's 2/80; Superior
1/80; New England 1/80; Stack's 12/79; ANA 1979;
Ivy 2/79; Stack's 2/79, 6/78; New England 11/77,
7/77; ANA 1976; Superior 10/74; Kreisberg/Cohen
6/69; ANA 1965; Bell 1963
Comments: The 1860-S Double Eagle is one of the rarest
Double Eagles from the San Francisco Mint. It is not
as rare as the 1861-S Paquet or the I866-S No Motto,
the two rarest S-Mint issues, but it is in the second
rarity level along with the 1854-S, 1861-S, 1862-S,
1864-S, 1866-S Motto, 1867-Sand 1868-S. When available,
the typical 1860-S is only VF or EF. Strictly graded
AU's are very scarce and uncirculated specimens are
rare. In choice or gem uncirculated condition, the
1860-S is virtually impossible to obtain. Most specimens
are well struck and every one I have seen was frosty.
